See red on basketball's backboard

With the excitement of basketball season at its peak, anew basketball backboard product is certain to score points.

In center court for all of the action is the McHenry County Economic Development Corporations Business Accelerator for Innovation & Collaboration program, ready to provide the "assist."

By supplying the necessary funding for new product development, GAMA will be able to design and manufacture a custom LED illuminated assembly system. The LED light system will be an aftermarket enhancement of basketball backboards used in institutional gymnasiums of schools, major universities and basketball associations.

BAIC Director Ed Schroeder said, "BAIC was designed to support regional manufacturers using a 'no red tape' approach. In doing so, BAIC supports the local economy in real time as it moves through enormous economic transition."

With the first critical development phase in motion, the next steps will take place quickly. And, GAMA can count on BAIC support along the way, with counseling on process improvement, workforce development and technical modernization.

"BAIC is becoming well known for kick-starting new product development," said Chris Manheim, president of MCEDC.

When asked about the inspiration for the product, Gamas' Steve Golbeck commented, "Today's basketball games are heated in every quarter, won or lost in seconds. Our product will illuminate the backboard with a bright red halo of color automatically upon the elapse of the 24-second clock."

BAIC is an SBA-funded initiative secured through the efforts of MCEDC, McHenry County College and Illinois Congressman Don Manzullo.

BAIC, the Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration, was established to focus on the needs of more than 600 manufacturers in McHenry County, providing business assistance and consultation, free of charge. Utilizing a significant network of relationships, BAIC provides a vital link to the state, federal and private resources available to manufacturers with a focus on creating jobs, ideas & revenue. For more information call MCEDC at (815) 363-0444 or e-mail manufacturing@mcedc.com or visit Web site www.illinoismanufacturing.net.